Choosing wedding and other multi-tiered cakes – what to consider

Budget

It is your cake and your money. If you are new at choosing a cake read through the topics on this page to get what you want and the best value. It is a good idea to have an approximate amount you wish to spend.

CHECK WITH YOUR WEDDING RECEPTION VENUE TO DETERMINE IF THEY CUT AND SERVE THE CAKE FOR YOU. SOME DO AND IT CAN BE MORE EXPENSIVE THAN YOU PLANNED. IF YOUR CAKE SERVES 100 PERSONS AND IT IS $3.00 PER SLICE THAT IS AN ADDITIONAL $300.00. DON’T BE SURPRISED – ASK FIRST.

Size (or number of servings)

Many bakeries and cake decorators start by pricing their cakes on a per serving basis before additions for special decorating etc., as do we. When reviewing our prices in each section (chocolate cakes, slab cakes, multi tiered etc.) you will find that each section has pricing based on the servings. This assists you in determining cake size and/or number of tiers.

Considerations:

How many are attending the event? You may have to guess at that number and further, you may have to guess how many will actually eat cake.

We suggest that you consider smaller serving sizes as our cakes are quit rich. If people want more they can come back.

Especially after a large meal people may choose not to accept a large cake slice – but they will a smaller one.

Decorating

The internet has numerous sites displaying wedding cakes and other specialty cakes. It is very helpful to us if you bring us a photo or email us an image. Try not to send us too many photos as we lose sight of what you like. We also have a limited selection of photos in store which you can browse and discuss with the baker. Before you begin your search for an image it might be worthwhile to read the rest of this page to help you narrow down your choices

Our cake prices include simple but beautiful decorations. When the decorating gets more complex and/or time consuming we have to increase the cost. Examples of items that increase costs would be fondant figurines, specially made flowers, complex patterns etc.

-Some decorating looks relatively easy – it is not.

-Some decorating looks relatively difficult – for our bakers it is not

The decorations and costs should be discussed with the baker.

PLEASE REMEMBER, ANY CHANGES TO THE DECORATING AFTER THE PRICE QUOTED BY THE BAKER MAY REULT IN ADDITIONAL CHARGES. EVEN SO, SUCH CHANGES SHOULD BE KEPT TO A MINIMUM AS IT GETS DIFFICULT TO TRACK THE CHANGES AND HOW IT FITS IN WITH THE OTHER CAKE DECORATING.

Fondant or cream icing

A basic question for each cake is whether it should be covered with fondant or buttercream icing.

For those who don’t know fondant is the cover that traditionally goes on wedding cakes. It is a smooth layer of pliable sugar. In days past it was always quite thick and terribly sweet. It was the part of the cake nobody ate.

We use a more modern fondant that is less thick, tastes like marshmallow to some and looks good. The fondant is “glued” on to the cake with buttercream.

The advantages to fondant:

-A longer shelf life – especially in warm rooms – such as a wedding reception
-A more precise look. The cuts and patterns are “cleaner looking”
-Ribbons, real and fabric flowers can be used with fondant and not buttercream (buttercream colours will bleed into the fabric)Disadvantages to fondant:

-Fondant is more expensive
-Many do not like the taste of fondant – even though today’s fondant is much better tasting than times past
-Cakes covered with fondant, especially multi-tiered must be sponge cakes and not mousse or cream style cakes. Mousse cakes are generally not stable enough to support fondant.

Cake toppers

Often customers want cake toppers and/or ribbon to decorate their cakes. In store we have some cake toppers and a large selection of sugar paste flowers that are available for purchase (at very reasonable prices).

However, if the customer wants a topper or ribbon that we do not have we ask that the customer supply these. The reason for this is that if the exact ribbon or topper is not available then it is the customer who must supply the substitute.

It should be noted that an item does not have to be sold as a cake topper to be used as one. Often small children’s toys, miniature animals or other such items can be used as cake toppers. We have even used non-edible paper photos and pictures as toppers. Remember most toppers and ribbons are not edible.

Toppers can often be made by our bakers from fondant or other edible material. These must be discussed with the baker, and of course, we will charge for the time.

Cake Tasting

For wedding cakes it is often the case where the bride and groom want to taste cake samples. For $10.00 we provide a cake tasting. This must be ordered in advance.

The bakers will prepare 5 samples of sponge cakes. Usually the samples include vanilla, chocolate, red velvet, pineapple upside down, and carrot cake (we may consider other flavours). You will come to our store and sample the cakes at the same time you discuss your thoughts on the wedding cake design.

Flavours and fillings

Please visit our “cakes” page on the main menu.

If you order a multi-tiered cake – especially a sponge cake – you can have different cake flavours. For example the top tier could be vanilla, the 2nd tier red velvet and the bottom tier chocolate.

Delivery

We can do delivery. Price depends on address and, in some cases, if it includes rush hour.

Delivery is a convenience. On smaller cakes (two tiers or less) Cakes are often picked up by the customer or designated friend.

On larger cakes delivery is often requested because:

– All good friends and relatives are guests at the event, and

– Many people do not want to take the responsibility of handling a 3 tier – or larger- cake.

Alternatives and variations

The traditional very large wedding cake is not for everybody. Because of budget, flavour, convenience or any number of other considerations people are exploring alternatives:

– A smaller wedding cake for the “Head Table” and a slab cake (or a couple of slab cakes) cut and served separately

– A smaller wedding cake and cupcakes (iced in the colours of the wedding theme) to surround the wedding cake

– Mini-cupcakes

– A wide variety of individual cake slices

In this there are numerous possibilities that you may consider to fulfill your wishes.

Ordering and Payment

For all large or complicated orders notice of a month or two is appreciated. For the summer months 3 or 4 months to reserve your spot is appreciated. We require a 50% payment paid at least one month before delivery and the balance must be paid before the cake leaves the store – preferably a week before.